Students
Gain real board experience. Make a meaningful impact.
Golub Capital Board Fellows Program presents a significant opportunity for students to gain experience with board governance while contributing to the advancement of nonprofit partners. Unlike internships that focus on day-to- day operations in a nonprofit, this program exposes students to the dynamics of board governance in nonprofit organizations. Fellows serve as ex-officio board members for a nonprofit partner while completing courses in board governance at Kellogg. Each fellow also completes a strategic project designed to leverage their skills and advance the work of their nonprofit partner. Two-year MBA students must apply for the program during their first year of study at Kellogg. All applicants must not be graduating within the next two years to be reviewed for admission. Eligible students include those enrolled in the Full-Time MBA Program (2Y Program), MMM Program, Evening/Weekend Program, JD-MBA Program and MD-MBA Program at Northwestern University.
Program components
Fellows experience the program through three components: Academics, Board Service and Community. Each component has specific responsibilities.
Academics
Take two courses:
Board Governance of Nonprofit Organizations (KPPI 453-5 )
Year 1, Winter Quarter course
Advanced Board Governance (KPPI 475-5)
Year 2, year-long course
Board service
Attend board meetings and participate as an ex officio board member for a nonprofit for 18 months
Attend board related committee meetings and events
Complete a strategic project that addresses an organizational need
Engage in regular communication with board mentor and executive director/CEO
Adhere to the norms and confidentiality of board/committee proceedings with utmost professionalism
Community
Participate in social and service events as a cohort
Expand network to include nonprofit leaders and board members and learn from peers' experiences
Take the first steps
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The Golub Capital Board Fellows Program holds an information session at the start of every school year. Incoming first-year students must attend to learn more about the program’s application process, timeline and commitment.
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The application has two parts:
- Written application
- Group case interview (by invitation only)
The written application is due in September, annually.
Two-year MBA students must apply for the program during their first year of study at Kellogg. All applicants must not be graduating within the next two years to be reviewed for admission. Eligible students include those enrolled in the Full-Time MBA Program (2Y Program), MMM Program, Evening/Weekend Program, JD-MBA Program and MD-MBA Program at Northwestern University.
Nonprofit experience is not required for admission to the program; however, applicants must demonstrate passion for social impact and civic leadership.
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Applications are reviewed by the student leadership team, and program staff and faculty. Admission to the program is competitive, and only 50 students are selected for the program each year. Fellows are notified of their acceptance to the program by mid-October.
In December, fellows receive information on participating nonprofit organizations and rank their preferences. The program uses an algorithm, which accounts for these preferences, to match each student to a nonprofit partner.
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In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, fellows agree to the following guidelines:
Commit to the program for two years. Fellows begin the program in October of their first year and serve on their respective boards through May of their second year.
Waive opportunities for exchange programs. When joining Golub Capital Board Fellows, students enter a two-year partnership with a nonprofit partner. To avoid conflicts with board responsibilities, fellows cannot participate in exchange programs during the academic year. This includes study abroad as well as joint-degree programs with other universities.
Designate time for the program. The program’s time commitment can range from approximately two to eight hours per week, depending on the student, project and time of year. This time is distributed across the three components of the program.
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The program is a partnership between Kellogg faculty, staff and the student leadership team. First-year fellows may apply for second-year leadership positions at the end of Winter Quarter. If selected, these leaders will serve in a leadership capacity until graduation.
There are five student leadership positions: President, Academics Chair, Prospective Fellows Chair, Student Engagement Chair and Alumni Relations Chair.
Through Golub Capital Board Fellows, I have learned what it truly takes to join, contribute and lead a nonprofit board. Through this experience, I look forward to a life-long commitment to nonprofit board leadership.